John Robertson, the revered former Nottingham Forest and Scotland winger, has passed away at the age of 72. His death was announced by Premier League club Nottingham Forest, marking the end of an era for one of their most iconic players. Robertson, a true legend of the City Ground, began and concluded his illustrious playing career with Forest, with a brief interlude at local rivals Derby County.

Robertson etched his name into Nottingham Forest's history books by playing an integral role in their successive European Cup victories. In 1979, he famously delivered the decisive cross for Trevor Francis's header, securing the only goal against Swedish side Malmo in Munich, leading Brian Clough's team to their first European crown. Just twelve months later, Robertson himself was the goal-scorer, netting the sole goal in another 1-0 triumph as Forest successfully defended their European title against Hamburg at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. These contributions solidified his status as a cult hero and a "double European Cup winner."

Beyond his club achievements, Robertson proudly represented Scotland, earning 28 caps during his five-year international career. This included an appearance at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where he notably scored against New Zealand. After hanging up his boots, Robertson remained deeply involved in football, transitioning into coaching roles. His coaching journey took him to several clubs, including Wycombe Wanderers, Leicester City, Celtic, Aston Villa, and Norwich City.

Tributes poured in from across the football world. Nottingham Forest expressed their heartbreak, stating, "A true great of our club and a double European Cup winner, John's unrivalled talent, humility and unwavering devotion to Nottingham Forest will never ever be forgotten." Scotland's national team also offered condolences, acknowledging his 28 caps and European Cup successes. Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton hailed him as "an incredible player, a genius, a legend, a sharp witted, funny man, a great friend and mentor." Stan Collymore, a former Forest player, described Robertson as "Forest's greatest ever player" and "one of the loveliest, kindest hearted humans I've met," praising his empathy as a coach at Leicester. Peter Shilton, a former teammate, shared his own grief, highlighting shared memories. The English Football League (EFL) eloquently summed up his impact, describing him as "a craftsman, a creator, a game-changer," and quoting Brian Clough's famous description of Robertson as "a Picasso." Robertson's legacy is one of transformation, triumph, and timeless talent, deeply cherished by all who knew him.